Records likely to tumble as 139th show comes to an end

THE curtain fell on the 139th Townsville Show yesterday after bumper crowds joined in the public holiday fun.

Organisers said final attendance numbers had yet to be calculated but it was hoped they would surpass last year’s crowd of about 63,000 people.

Townsville Show Society president Chris Condon said it had been one of the busiest shows yet, which was a great prelude to rev up the city before the Townsville 400.

“Saturday day was our best day,” Mr Condon said. “We had more rides this year than n the B r i s b a n e Ekka is going too have.

“Agr i c u l t u r e is a very tough ough industry at the momentment but we had d a full display of poultry and d the stud cattle was very good.

“The arts and crafts also had good numbers but we will be looking for more volunteers next year to bring back the cooking section.”

Alfred “Eric” Hollamby has been handing out steak burgers and hot chips for more than 50 years, working at his beloved Townsville Rotary food stall.

Mr Hollamby said the strict dress code and agricultural displays had changed over the decades, but the excitement of fundraising for the community kept bringing him back.

“I like putting a smile on people’s faces and seeing everyoney so happy, that’s what keeps me comin coming back,” the 95- year- old said. “I’m always work working out of the w window and pe people come b by and see me and reco ognise me a after all these ye years.”

In sho show Ken Kennedy Bob sidealley, MP Katter proved himself to be a true marksman, delighting onlookers by scoring himself a purple unicorn he said would go straight to his granddaughter.

“I love all the shows, I really do, and this is a very big one and I hope they get records here,” he said.

“It really is great to come face- to- face with all the animals and it’s great to come down and see your own local product, and of course the grand champion bulls.”

One incident that did mar the event was the theft of a newborn lamb from Carters Farm petting zoo on Friday night. Kevin Carter said there was no sign of the animal but a reward was being offered for its safe return.

“It’s night three away from her mother and we are starting to run out of hope,” he said. “It hasn’t deterred us from coming to the show and it is unfortunate one person has had to spoil it for the other people wanting to see the baby animals.

“I don’t want to ask why they took it, we just want it returned, no questions asked and someone in Townsville knows something.”